The city council moved closer to a vote on a plan that, once completed two summers from now, will revamp Hacienda Avenue into a “green street.”

In October 2011, the city council approved the use of federal grant money to revamp Hacienda Avenue, according to a memo from Tom Capurso, public works director, to the city council on Sept. 17. About a year later, the council approved the conceptual design. Since then, the public works department has been developing the final plans that address existing street concerns and incorporate green street elements.

The details of the project were presented to the council in a study session Sept. 17 that served as an opportunity to amend the plan before the council takes formal action at its Oct. 1 meeting.

Fred Ho, senior civil engineer for the city of Campbell, said after the council officially approves the plans, grant funds must be processed and approved by the California Transportation Commission and CalTrans. Public works officials will begin advertising for bids in January or February and a contract will probably be awarded in June. Construction would begin shortly after and Ho anticipates a 12-month construction period.

“This is a big project for us. It will take a little while,” he said.

Ho said the project itself has not changed since it was last presented to the council in 2012. All aspects of the original conceptual design, including continuous sidewalk and bike lanes, pedestrian bulb outs at street corners and biofiltration areas to address storm water runoff, were carried over to the final design.

Ho said Public Works clarified the method the department will use to treat the pavement: a process called full depth reclamation in which a stabilizer is added to existing ground material that has been pulverized and pavement is put on top of it.

“The idea is … less waste to the dump site and less trucks,” he said, explaining that hauling in materials is costly and affects the environment negatively.

“Because we’re using this process, the amount of asphalt that will eventually go on top will be less that what is required by a more traditional type of construction,” he explained.

Some new additions to the project include nicer benches, distinctive pavement that will signify the bus stops and LED street lighting. Ho said LED bulbs save energy, and other cities have already switched to LED lighting.

“We thought that this was a good opportunity for us to do a larger test project, if you will, to use LED lights for ourselves,” he said. “This being a green street certainly lends itself to it.”

The green street will also use efficient irrigation, and native plants will be used wherever possible, Ho said.

According to the memo sent by Capurso, the project proposes to install a minimum of 60 new street trees to provide shade and decrease the amount of sunlight absorbed and retained by the new asphalt pavement.

However, Capurso wrote that about 50 existing trees will need to be removed for the project. About half of the trees slated for removal are liquidambar trees that are creating problems with roots by lifting the sidewalk and pavement areas. The other 25 trees are being removed due to poor tree health, disease or conflict with the new public improvements.

A neighborhood meeting was held in June. Ho said he anticipates more public meetings so that the contractor can discuss the construction impact and schedule.

“We definitely want to reach out to the neighbors so they know what to expect,” he said.

City manager Mark Linder said the council was happy with the LED bulbs and other sustainable elements that were presented during the special session.

No community members were present at the study session but Linder said city officials would like the community to be aware of formal council decisions moving forward.

“A couple property owners might still not want the change,” he said.

“People are welcome to contact us or visit the website,” Ho said.

To view updated project information, visit cityof campbell.com and click on RFP/Project Information under Quick Links on the righthand side of the page. Click on More Information under Project 8-04: Hacienda Green Street Project under Project Updates.

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